Automatic safety window latch



April 19, 1927. 1,625,293

H. S. WHEATON AUTOMATIC SAFETY WINDOW LATCH Filed June 1923 5 lmizzor'36 77%; flied/0n fil Patented Apr. 19, 1927.

Y timers sir imam s. vvzeamon, or D IOWA- AUTOMAT-IC SAFETY WINDOWLATCH;

Application filed June 6,

object of'my invention is to provide a window latch which is aiitom-aticin its operation and which can be made cheaply and which, will: workefiiciently.

More particularly, my invention: relates to a window latch adapted to beusedin combination with a pair oi window sashes, which are slidablerelative to each other, the latchbeing of such construction that it willautomatically engage one of. the sashes for. preventing any movementthereof.

Still a further object is to provide a hand engaging element which maybe engaged by the hand of the operator, with the thumb engaging-a:release lever for releasing the latch and, permitting the window sashesto be moved relative to each-other.

it-h these and other objects in view, my invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and: combination of the various parts-of mydevice, whereby the objects coni'P'iilPlht GClare attained, ashereinafter more fully set forth, pointed. out inmy clain-is, andillustrated inv the accompanying drawings, in which: j V

Figure 1 is a pe ective view of pair of window sashes with my improvedlatch Fll'iOYll: thereon.

Figure 2 is a central vertical, sectional view, through a pair of windowsashes and my latch.

Figure 3 is a detail, sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a detail view showing the pivotal connection between thecontrol lever and the plunger rod.

In the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral 10 toindicate generally a window casing provided with the ordinary dividerstrip 11. Slidably mounted within the window frame 10, are the upper andlower window sashes 12 and 13. The parts just described are of theordinary construction.

My latch includes a frame or supporting plate 14, which is preferablyformed of a flat piece of metal having a portion bent at right anglesnear its upper end. The frame 14; rests against the lower window sash 13and has the right angle extension or bent portion rest upon the uppersurface of the window sash, as clearly shown in Figure 1 of thedrawings. The frame 14 is secured to the window sash 13 by means ofscrews 15 extended through openings 16.

1923. Serial 1%.. 643 ,6292

Secure-d1 on the right angle extension of the frame 14 is a tubularshaped member I? having its ends bent over so as to provide end closuremembers 1?8 and 19- for the tube 1%. The end closure members 18 and 19are provided with small openings of sufficient di-ann eter sothatplunger rod 20 may be slid:- ably mounted therein.

The plunger rod 20 is provided with aa loop 21 at its outer end. A stopmember 22 is secured to the plunger rod: 20- and is received within thevtube 17. A coil spring 23 extends around the plunger rod: 20 and: isreceived between the closure member 19 and the stop member 22- and'within the tube 17.

From the construction of the parts just described, it will be seenthatthe coil spring. 23 tends to normally hold the stop member 22 againstthe closure member 118-.

The frame 1% is provided with a pair of ears which are provided withopenings which receive the pintle rod 25. A: control actuating lcvr 26is mounted for movement on the pintle rod 25 by meansof a:

bearing cap 2?. In the drawings, T have shown. the bearing cap-assecured to the lever 26 by means of rivets 28-, but it will sounder-rstood that the lever and bearing cap may be formed of a single piece ofmetal with tongues or the like for engaging the pintle rod 25.

The upper end of the lever 26 is bifurcated (as at 29). The fingers oneach side of the bifurcated portion 29 are bent over so as to provideloops 30. The loop 21 on the end of the plunger rod 20 is received inthe bifurcated portion 29 between the loops 30. A pintle rod 31 extendsthrough the loops and through the loop 21 for connecting the lever 26 tothe plunger rod 20, for forming a pivotal connection.

On the upper window sash 12, on the surface adjacent to the window sash13, is mounted a plate 32. The plate 32 is recessed into the sash 12.The plate 30 is secured to the sash 12 by means of the screws 33. Aplurality of openings 34 are provided within the plate 32 and registerwith openings 35 formed in the sash 12.

The free end of the plunger rod 20 is designed to be selectivelyreceived in any of the openings formed in the plate 32 and the sash 12.

In Figure 2 of the drawings, I have shown the plunger in one of theopenings and when in this position, the window sashes will be lockedagainst movement relative to each other. lVhen it is desired to move thewindow sashes relative to each other, it is necessary to release or movethe plunger rod against the action of the coil spring so that theplunger rod cleared from the opening. The parts are so arranged that theplunger rod may be moved by pressing the lower end of the lever 90innuirdly or towards the frame 14:.

Secured to the frame 1i just below the lower end oi' the lever 26 is thehand ongaging element 36. The hand engaging elemeat 36 is so positionedthat it may be engaged by the tour lingers oi the hand, and the lowerend of the lever 26 may be engaged by the thumb, wherein the plunger maybe released and the lower window sash raised by engaging the handelements.

It will be seen that the lower end of the lever is so positioned thatthe hand engaging element may be engaged, and the lever simultaneouslyengaged for moving the plunger to inoperative position and raising thewindow sash. The plunger will move into one oi the openings formed inthe plate due to the pressure of the spring 23.

It will be seen that my loch operates automatically and will latch thewindow sashes in almost any desired position. The plate 32 may be madethe entire length of the upper window sash, and the openings therein maybe positioned as desired for securing latching positions as necessary.

My device can be used in place of cords and weights ordinarily used. Thelatch can be released from the inside and will then,

permit either the upper or lower window sash to be raised or lowered.The latch operates from the inside and will prevent opening from theoutside. Both the upper and lower window sashes will be effectivelylatched by the single latch structure and will latch them in any desiredposition.

Son'ie changes may be made in the coin struetion and arrangement of thevarious pirts of my invention, without departing from the real spiritand impose of my invention and it my intention to cover by nrv claim,any modified forms of structure or use oi mechanical equivalents, whichmay be reasonably included. within their scope.

1. claim as my invention:

in combination with windows of the sliding double sash type, means forlatching one sash relative to the other, said means coumrising asupporting plate secured to the upper end of a side rail of the lowersash and having a right angled extension over the top of said sash, atubular member having a restricted end mounted on said right angledextension, a plunger slid-ably mounted in said tubular member, a collarsecured to said plunger, a spring interposed hetween the collar and saidrestricted end, a lip on the other end oi said tubular member forengaging the collar a perforated plate secured to the side rail of saidupper sash, the perforations in said perforated plate being designed toselectively coact with said plunger, a spring in said tubular member fornormally holding said plunger in en gagement with any one of said holes,a lever pivoted on said su 'Jporting plate for retracting said plungerand a. handle secured to said supporting plate adjacent the lower end atsaid lever.

HARRY S. lVHEAiON.

